Farm program at Roaring Fork High?

GLENWOOD SPRINGS ” The Roaring Fork School District Re-1 board of education takes up consideration Wednesday of a proposal to establish a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and farm school program at Carbondale’s Roaring Fork High School.

According to the proposal being put forth by project sponsors, including the Central Rocky Moun­tain Permaculture Institute and Fat City Farms, the plan involves build­ing a greenhouse and establishing outdoor gardens at the school.

The facilities would be used for a school-based agricultural educa­tion program during the school year, and would allow for other academic applications as well.

From May through September, the greenhouse and gardens would be maintained as a CSA Farm School and working CSA. A CSA essentially operates as a subscription garden, where farmers grow vegetables and customers sign up to receive a cer­tain amount of produce.

According to the proposal, the school district would provide the land and water at the school to build a geodome greenhouse and a fenced-in garden area.

“Some of our farm school instructors and graduating students will be available to assist your teach­ers, as they prepare and run their own classes,” the proposal reads. “We will also be able to involve the classes in outdoor harvesting work during September and October, when they can reap some of our summer crops for their cafeteria.”

Teachers and students could also help with the spring planting season, turning the gardens over to the CSA Farm School opera­tions in May. The full proposal can be found online at http://www.rfhs­greenhouse. blogspot.com/.

Wednesday’s regular school board meeting takes place at the Re­1 District Office, next to Glenwood Springs High School on Grand Avenue, beginning at 4 p.m. The farm school proposal is slated to be heard at about 7 p.m., though agenda times are approximate.

jstroud@postindependent.com